"In one example detailed in his stipulation to the commission, Whitford at a March 2022 hearing insulted and demeaned a putative victim of domestic violence, including by saying she had the brain of a small child, and cross-examine the victim on materials that were not marked or admitted into evidence. The judge also denigrated law enforcement, referring to documents officers prepared as garbage and bullshit."
"During a sentencing, the judge questioned whether a defendant was culpable and told the defendant, I hope you're not mad at me, for imposing the sentence. Whitford, who is not an attorney, had served on the bench since 2018. His current term would have expired on Dec. 31, 2026. A judge is required to maintain professional competence in the law, and to act in a fair, unbiased and respectful manner toward all who appear in court. Judge Whitford's resignation, after being charged with misconduct for having failed in all of these areas, is an appropriate resolution to this case, commission administrator Robert Tembeckjian said in a statement."
Todd C. Whitford resigned from the Jerusalem Town Court effective Dec. 10 after being charged with misconduct by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct for biased, discourteous behavior and a significant misunderstanding of legal procedures. At a March 2022 hearing he insulted and demeaned a putative domestic violence victim, cross-examined on unadmitted materials, and denigrated law enforcement documents as "garbage and bullshit." During sentencing he questioned a defendant's culpability and told the defendant, "I hope you're not mad at me, for imposing the sentence." Whitford is not an attorney, served since 2018, and affirmed he will neither seek nor accept judicial office in the future.
Read at www.amny.com
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